New valve cover pics *56k beware*

[Jareds 89 LX-i]

I finally just got this finished tonight. It isn't perfect, but I think it still looks pretty damn good. I forgot to get pics before I stripped the original paint off, but it was just the stock textured black, and the cover is from the A20A3 from the 2nd gen Prelude.

1st.... apply the silver (aluminum) base coat
http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=43283bd1-7802-2f66-3e9c-15c261f95e93&size=

First coat of paint. It was so light I really didn't like the color at all and was having second thoughts, but decided to try a few more coats
http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=7c48e073-19d3-1e0e-4a45-14fa32c93bee&size=

Second coat... now it's getting better
http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=60295b6a-5547-3ae3-acf3-599d7cda548e&size=

Added a few more coats of paint, block sanded down the lines and letters to bare metal, applied several coats of clear top coat, and now....

FINISHED!
http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=cd4d4be3-7bf3-b8eb-1e17-3a9f6ee0720c&size=

http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=4bc843bd-4404-4dc4-5783-2fc04fb87816&size=

http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=23bf3afc-7a8b-786c-1eaa-4deb79a12065&size=

http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=39053acb-4d1d-3f1c-4261-6d732277373f&size=

Here you can see the metal flake in the paint
http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=760827cd-5a94-5dcc-540f-49edd82269f8&size=

I used a blue candy apple metal flake paint, and I must say I'm very satisfied. There is a blemish in the metal through the bottom set of lines (was there when I got it) as you can see in the pics, but it's not that bad so I can live with it. The clear top coat adds a VERY nice gloss. Glad I went ahead and tried a few more coats instead of restripping it and using another color. Should go well with my blue NGK wires! I'll get some pics of it installed tomorrow...gotta let it dry tonight.

:)

[blazin3gen]

damn man how much would u charge for doing something like that?

[Jareds 89 LX-i]

Originally posted by blazin2gen
damn man how much would u charge for doing something like that?
Hmmm...I'm not sure. Since it was a bit of work and time, I'd say maybe $50 + ship, which would include the cost of paint, stripper, etc (and for about $12 extra [I think that's what they were, I'd have to double check] I can pick up any valve cover from the junkyard here, if you don't want to send your own). Does that sound fair?

:)

[blazin3gen]

sounds good but im broke :)

[Shifty]

OH MAN THAT IS SWEET *DROOL* i recently got my rocket cover cleaned, all alumminum since it got dumped in a hot tank i jus need a clear coat. but that is nice man.. i'd kill for that !

[Mike89Accordcom]

Looks sweet man. It will dress the engine up nicely!

[blazin3gen]

off subject but hows the whole Autotrader thing going Mike?

[Jims 86LXI HB]

Boy, I'll tell ya one think I like a whole bunch about that cover compaired to the LXI covers we have. The way the raised ribs and lettering is laid out would make it hecka easier to sand to bare metal. It's sooooo hard to keep the sand paper off where you DON'T want paint removed on the LXI cover.

Looking good jared.

BTW, sanding the raised stuff after your final coat of undercoat to bare metal and then spraying your final coat's and then sanding them again would prevent the undercoating from peaking out around the edges of the raised parts.

[carotman]

it suuure gives a nice shine to it.

Now put that thing under your hood and show us what it looks like.

[Jareds 89 LX-i]

Alright here it is installed

Before:
http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=51d12d3d-5b71-62b1-1fb4-6b8b14d968fd&size=


After:
http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=2d6e158e-418f-6219-749c-68b2436349a8&size=

http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=20a05115-7489-5340-1a1b-7c4b51d33ac2&size=

http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=45c54399-74cb-308a-7c92-442568162f09&size=

Big improvement I'd say! :D

[iloveJDMblackrims69]

nice jared!!! you did a really good job man

[SiR]

What did i tall you about 56k users!!!

Looks really nice, like from the factory! It does match with the wires, time for more blue items in the engine bay! Whats your next project?

[i.c.]

that looks good man, like the metal flake

[OldSchoolSwap]

Pimp! :smokin:

[HondaBoy]

looks damn good. my guess is that any valve cover from the A20 series engines will fit onto any SOHC 3gee? if so im gonna go searching for a new valve cover to dress up my engine bay. i think i already know the answer but need confermation. i wanna do mine in red. hope that dont sound too cheesy. but then again, it will impress the guy around my town.

[Jareds 89 LX-i]

Thanks for the compliments!! :D My next project will come next week, when I'll be installing my SE-i rear discs (finally!), and then after that I'll be welding in the new rear wheel well arches that I just recieved in the mail yesterday, to fix my rust holes. Always stuff to keep me busy :lol

[A20A1]

Wow I like the layout of that cover... nice job on the paint. :D

[carlessNcareless]

foi think seeing the price youd charge has motivated me to get off my ass and do mine myself. yours does look pretty good, but why are the 2 valve covers different? ive neevr seen the 86-87 valve cover

[Jareds 89 LX-i]

The 86-87 LX-i covers were exactly the same as the 88-89 LX-i. The black one was my original LX-i one, and the blue one is from a 2nd gen Prelude A20A3, which used a different cover design.

I think my price was fair.... paint, stripper, sandpaper, etc came to about $20, which would leave only $30 for me, and with all the time and work that went into it I don't think that's all too bad. Good luck with it though! :)

[anchovies]

seeexxxyy :D

[MarioBurke]

so does that vavle cover (2nd gen prelude) fit only the LXI or does it fit the DX too? Damn DX, Damn their stripped out guts all to hell!

[Jareds 89 LX-i]

It would fit physically, but the tube on the top is on the right side for carb'd instead of left for EFI, and it doesn't have the studs for the air cleaner. The 2nd gen Prelude did come carb'd though (mine is from the EFI one), so it might have the same design but for the carb. I'll have to check next time I'm at the boneyard.

[joker2]

One reason also that some people use the valve cover from the Prelude is that it creates a better seal on the head because over so many years the Accords cover tends to warp while the Prelude's doesn't.....:D

[HondaBoy]

so ur tellin me im not gonna have ne problems fitting the 2nd gen 'lude valve cover to my A20? im gonna go lookin for one. if i do find one ill have to tell yall about it. i think i will do it red with the raised parts metal. i may let my friends cousin powder coat it. that may work best.

[joker2]

Actually, I prefer powdercoating over paint because of it's durability....... That's how mine is done.....:D

[Jims 86LXI HB]

Originally posted by joker2
Actually, I prefer powdercoating over paint because of it's durability....... That's how mine is done.....:D

Durability is directly linked to the painters willingness to use proper painting techniques. I see to many people that aren't willing to even follow the directions on the can let alone making sure the surface to be painted is religiously kept clean. And were all so impatiant, we want it done, right now and we don't allow for proper paint cure times. Done by the book, a painted valve covers finish will outlast the motor it's attached to.

[joker2]

Well, durability can mean different things to different people..... Like to me it means being able to withstand the constant, ever changing temperatures inside the hood and out, different chemicals that it may come into contact with and still have a mirror shine and finally, being abused by tools that may fall on it during routine maintenance...... Believe me when I say I've had it all done to a valve cover that could be done but when it comes to comparing powdercoating to painting, even if it's done properly, you can't do it...... I'm not saying that paint doesn't last and doesn't look just as good, I'm just saying that the powdercoating will last longer under harsher conditions.......